The current Panama Country Club in Lynn Haven, FL, formerly known as St. Andrews Bay Club is currently attributed to Donald Ross, but there isn’t any documentation that attributes a connection to Ross. However, the below articles attribute the course design to Captain Charles Hugh Alison! This is very interesting because it had long appeared that Alison’s Southernmost U.S. work was Sea Island, but as it turns out, he ventured into the panhandle and thus added some more architectural pedigree to Florida's golf history.
Before I get started it is apparent that Tom MacWood & SL Solow were already onto this information and their references are in the threads below.
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,21992.msg402470.html#msg402470 - 2006 post by Tom MacWood
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,47938.msg1077762.html#msg1077762 - 2009 post by SL Solow
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,47938.msg1078103.html#msg1078103 - 2011 post by Tom MacWood
Here is an early timeline of newspaper articles regarding the course.9/3/25 St Pete Times with the first mention of a new 18 hole course in Lynn Haven, FL. The wealthy & connected Minor C Keith owned & developed the golf course, but that it is being purchased by a group out of Atlanta.
1/21/26 Panama City Pilot article stating the Minor C Keith Property Company as owning the land and the opening of the golf course. Not sure what happened with the Atlanta group, but it appears as thought at the time of the course opening, it was still in the hands of Minor C Keith.
2/2/26 Tampa Tribune article
3/7/26 Macon Telegraph which state that 7 of the 18 holes are along the water. This corresponds with the 1942 aerial photo of the Panama CC in Lynn Haven.
8/19/26 Panama City Pilot describes the location in more detail, which was formerly known as Gay Plantation.
4/19/27 St. Andrews Bay News references the yardage of the course and its proximity to Panama City.
9/13/27 St Andrews Bay News with another reference to the yardage of the course and 7 holes along the water.
The 3/8/28 Panama City Pilot makes the first known reference to Capt. H Alison as designing and building St. Andrews Bay Club.
The 4/28/36 Panama City Herald, which by this date was known as Panama Country Club.
Below are the aerials 1942 aerial
1953 aerial
2014 aerial
https://www.google.com/maps/@30.2506058,-85.6306069,1500m/data=!3m1!1e3
After comparing the overlay, it is clear that the 7 holes along the water have been lost to housing and 8 to 10 fairways appear to be in the same location. If you see something I do not, please feel free to let me know.
Below are the circa 1920’s & 1930’s pictures are from the Bay County Archive Library.
Disclaimer: Scott Edwards, creator of the Florida Historic Golf Trail (
www.floridahistoricgolftrail.com) provided the articles & images above/below and is ok with me sharing this information.
Also, if anyone has any information that contradicts or adds to Capt H Alison's involvement with Panama CC, please share with me.
Edit 6/22/17 : 1925 magazine Suniland - Advertisement that highlights the firm of Colt & Alison designing the course and that it is 80% completed.
